ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- Cleaning old paint and other substances off a combat vehicle is key to the overhaul process.
Once the metal is free of all material, it is easier for employees to locate defects and ensure the vehicle meets specifications.
But, how does one take the hull of a M1 tank - weighing in at approximately 70 tons - and clean it completely and efficiently?
For Anniston Army Depot, that answer comes in the form of two large buildings. Known colloquially on the installation as the spinner hangers, these large-scale abrasive blast booths remove unwanted substances from combat vehicles using stainless steel beads, known as shot, which are propelled at about 12,000 revolutions per minute.
"It's a dangerous job. We have a lot of checks we make on the equipment," said Matthew Martin, a depot industrial equipment operator.
One daily check measures the width of the chains which hold the hull as it is removed from its cart then lifted into a vertical position for cleaning in the hanger.
"We are very careful. We never walk under the vehicles and we watch out for each other," said Martin.
The M1 is not the only vehicle cleaned by the spinner hangers. Just about every combat vehicle overhauled by the installation goes through one of the buildings, making them a hub of activity for the entire depot.
The process starts in a holding bay. There, each vehicle is checked to ensure it has been washed properly and the gaskets have been removed. This often involves employees grinding certain areas to remove residue.
Then, parts of the vehicle requiring protection from the steel shot are covered.
"Each type of hull we work on has its own set of items to be protected," said Terry Newton, a depot industrial equipment operator.
Employees have pre-measured and cut rubber and metal protective shields to be placed over the parts too delicate to endure the abrasive blast force.
After the vehicle is hung vertically, it is moved into position and the large, thick doors are shut.
By using the large booths for abrasive blasting, the depot saves at least seven hours per vehicle and reduces hazards to employees who would typically have to be ensconced in ventilated protective gear to operate abrasive blasting equipment.
The steel shot itself is reusable. Slats in the floors collect the beads. Pieces large enough for reuse are collected in the silo, while the shot not meeting size standards goes into a dust collector. After a combat vehicle leaves the spinner hanger, it either goes to the body shop for repairs or, if it is a second cut vehicle, to the sandblast area for a finish cut before being prepped for painting, primed and given its final coat of paint.
Social Sharing